INTERNATIONAL AERIAL COMBAT SPORT FEDERATION

EVENT SAFETY MANUAL

IACSF-MAN-001 | Version 1.0 | Effective Season 2026

Document No.	IACSF-MAN-001
Effective Date	January 1, 2026
Approved By	IACSF Board of Directors
Maintained By	Safety and Compliance Committee
Review Cycle	Annual — prior to start of competitive season
Supersedes	N/A (inaugural edition)
Related Documents	IACSF-STD-002 (Safety, Insurance & Venue Standards); IACSF Technical Code; IACSF Competition Rules; IACSF-PROC-003 (Withdrawal of Sanction)

This Manual establishes mandatory safety requirements and recommended practices for all IACSF-sanctioned events. It supplements the IACSF Safety, Insurance and Venue Standards (IACSF-STD-002) with detailed implementation guidance. Organizing Entities, Event Safety Officers, officials, participants, and crew are bound by the requirements herein.

NOTE. Wherever this Manual uses 'must' or 'shall,' the requirement is mandatory. Wherever it uses 'should' or 'recommended,' the provision is a best practice that may be adapted to circumstances with documented justification in the Event Safety Plan.

CHAPTER 1 — SAFETY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

1.1 Safety Philosophy

The IACSF adopts a proactive, risk-based approach to event safety. The goal is not merely to respond to incidents but to identify, assess, and mitigate hazards before they result in harm. All persons involved in sanctioned events share responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.

1.2 Safety Hierarchy of Control

When addressing hazards, organizers must apply controls in the following priority order:

• Elimination — remove the hazard entirely (preferred);

• Substitution — replace with a less hazardous alternative;

• Engineering controls — physical barriers, combat zone design, aircraft system requirements;

• Administrative controls — procedures, briefings, certifications, scheduling;

• Personal protective equipment — last resort, not a substitute for higher-order controls.

1.3 Safety Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Safety Responsibilities
IACSF Safety and Compliance Committee	Develop and maintain safety standards and this Manual; review incident reports; recommend sanctions for violations; conduct venue inspections.
IACSF Commissioner	Issue and withdraw sanctions; receive incident reports; enforce compliance; publish safety notices.
Event Safety Officer (ESO)	On-site safety authority; approve/halt flight operations; conduct safety briefings; oversee technical inspection; compile incident reports.
Event Director	Overall event accountability; ensure ESO is empowered; coordinate with venue operator and local authorities; manage emergency communications.
Technical Inspector	Inspect all competing aircraft per IACSF Technical Code; certify aircraft as airworthy for competition; re-inspect as directed by ESO.
Competing Pilots / UAS Operators	Maintain aircraft airworthiness; comply with safety briefings; report hazards; fly within authorized parameters.
Crew Chiefs / Ground Crew	Safe aircraft handling, fueling, and maintenance; observe pit lane safety rules; report defects to pilot and ESO.
Spectators	Comply with venue safety instructions; remain within designated spectator areas; report hazards to event staff.

1.4 Event Safety Plan

The Organizing Entity must prepare a written Event Safety Plan for each sanctioned event and submit it to the IACSF Commissioner at least forty-five (45) days before the event. The Plan must be reviewed and signed by the designated ESO. It must include:

• Venue diagram with annotated safety zones (see Section 2.1);

• Aircraft technical inspection schedule and checklist reference;

• Pilot/crew safety briefing agenda and sign-in sheet template;

• Spectator safety and crowd management plan;

• Emergency response plan including: medical response, fire response, aircraft accident protocol, and evacuation plan;

• Adverse weather protocol and cancellation criteria;

• Communications plan: radio channels, chain of command, emergency contact list;

• ESO authority statement signed by the Event Director.

REQUIREMENT. The IACSF Commissioner may require revisions to the Event Safety Plan prior to granting or confirming sanctioning. The Plan is a living document — any material change to venue layout, personnel, or procedures must be reported to the Commissioner within 48 hours.

CHAPTER 2 — VENUE AND COMPETITION ZONE SAFETY

2.1 Safety Zone Definitions

Zone	Definition and Requirements
Flight Zone	Airspace volume through which competing aircraft operate. No unauthorized personnel or structures within the lateral boundaries during active flight. Must be defined in the venue diagram.
Primary Exclusion Zone	Ground area directly below and immediately adjacent to the primary flight corridor. Access restricted to certified officials with ESO authorization only during active flight.
Hot Pit / Active Maintenance Area	Designated area for fueling, pre-flight preparation, and post-flight inspection of competing aircraft. Hard barrier separation from spectator areas required.
Staging Area	Marshaling area for aircraft awaiting or completing competition runs. Controlled access; ground crew with wristbands only.
Spectator Zone	Areas open to ticketed public. Must maintain minimum standoff distances per IACSF-STD-002 Section 3.5.
Emergency Access Corridor	Unobstructed route from venue entrance to flight line and all spectator areas, passable by emergency vehicles at all times.
Medical Station	Designated first aid and triage area, clearly marked, with direct access to emergency vehicles. Must not be located within the Primary Exclusion Zone.

2.2 Combat Zone and Flight Corridor Design

2.2.1 Full-Scale Piloted Competition Zones

• The combat zone must be designed so that any foreseeable aircraft malfunction or departure from the designated flight corridor does not direct the aircraft toward the spectator zone or populated areas;

• Pylons and combat zone markers must be frangible or designed to minimize hazard upon aircraft contact;

• Competition zone entry and exit gates must provide adequate separation between aircraft;

• Minimum competition altitude (AGL) must be established in the safety plan and enforced by operations control;

• No portion of the spectator viewing area may be located at the end of a primary runway or principal flight path.

2.2.2 UAS / Drone Competition Zones

• All competition zone boundaries must be marked with high-visibility physical markers or netting where required;

• Safety netting must be used wherever the flight corridor is within 50 feet of an occupied area;

• Competition zone layout must prevent head-on or line-of-sight collisions between aircraft from opposite directions;

• UAS failsafe settings (auto-land, throttle cut, RTH) must be configured and documented for each aircraft;

• A designated Frequency / RF Coordinator must monitor for interference during competition sessions.

2.3 Venue Inspection

The ESO must conduct a physical walk-through of the venue no less than two (2) hours before the first flight of each competition day. The inspection must confirm:

• All safety zones are properly marked and barricaded;

• Emergency access corridors are clear and passable;

• Medical station is staffed and equipped;

• Fire suppression equipment is present, charged, and accessible in the Hot Pit;

• Spectator barriers are intact and positioned at correct standoff distances;

• No unauthorized personnel are present in restricted zones;

• Weather conditions are within approved operating parameters.

Results of the venue inspection must be documented in the ESO Daily Log. Any deficiency that cannot be corrected before the scheduled start of operations must result in a delay of operations until resolved.

CHAPTER 3 — AIRCRAFT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Airworthiness Standards

All aircraft competing in IACSF-sanctioned events must meet the airworthiness standards established in the IACSF Technical Code for their respective class and category. The Technical Inspector's certification of an aircraft does not substitute for the pilot's or operator's independent responsibility to ensure the aircraft is airworthy prior to each flight.

WARNING. No aircraft may compete following any incident, hard landing, collision, or abnormal flight condition until it has been re-inspected and cleared by the Technical Inspector or the ESO.

3.2 Pre-Event Technical Inspection

3.2.1 General Requirements

Every aircraft entered in competition must undergo a pre-event technical inspection before its first competitive flight. Inspections must be performed by a certified IACSF Technical Inspector. The Technical Inspector must:

• Review aircraft documentation (registration, airworthiness certificate or equivalent, weight and balance);

• Inspect structural condition (airframe, control surfaces, landing gear);

• Verify propulsion system condition and security (engine, propeller/rotor, fuel system);

• Confirm all safety systems are installed and functional (fire suppression if applicable, restraints, emergency cutoff);

• Verify compliance with class-specific Technical Code requirements (wing modifications, ballistic recovery for UAS, etc.);

• Confirm aircraft markings and identification numbers are correct and legible.

3.2.2 Inspection Outcomes

PASS. Aircraft is cleared for competition. Technical Inspector signs the Aircraft Inspection Card. Card must remain with the aircraft during the event. | CONDITIONAL PASS | Aircraft is cleared subject to correction of minor discrepancies before next flight. Inspector specifies the discrepancy and required corrective action on the Inspection Card. | | FAIL | Aircraft may not compete. Inspector specifies the deficiency. Aircraft may be re-presented for inspection after deficiency is corrected. Inspector re-inspects and must issue a PASS before competition. |

3.3 In-Event Aircraft Safety

• Each aircraft must carry a legible, up-to-date Aircraft Inspection Card at all times during the event;

• Any damage, fluid leak, or mechanical anomaly observed by any official, crew member, or competitor must be reported to the ESO immediately;

• The ESO or Technical Inspector may impound any aircraft for safety evaluation at any time;

• Aircraft found not to comply with the conditions of their Inspection Card are subject to immediate disqualification and referral to the Technical Inspector for re-inspection.

3.4 Fuel Safety

3.4.1 Storage and Handling

• Aviation fuel must be stored in approved containers in the designated fuel storage area;

• Fuel storage must include containment provisions (berm, drip tray, or equivalent) to prevent ground contamination;

• A minimum of one 20-lb dry chemical or CO2 fire extinguisher must be located within 30 feet of any fueling operation;

• No smoking or open flames within 50 feet of fueling operations;

• Static bonding between fuel container and aircraft must be established before any fueling commences.

3.4.2 Hot Fueling (Engine Running)

Hot fueling (fueling with engine running) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the ESO for the applicable event format. When authorized:

• Only crew certified in hot fueling procedures may participate;

• Fire suppression equipment must be immediately accessible and staffed;

• Pilot must remain in cockpit with hands on controls;

• Fueling crew must wear fire-resistant protective equipment.

CHAPTER 4 — PILOT AND OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Certification Requirements

Full-Scale Piloted Aircraft	Valid FAA Airman Certificate (or national equivalent) appropriate to the aircraft category, class, and any required type rating. Current FAA medical certificate (or national equivalent). Currency requirements per 14 CFR Part 61 or national equivalent.
UAS / Drone Operators	Valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or national equivalent). Current and not under suspension or revocation.

4.2 Pre-Event Pilot Briefing

The ESO must conduct a mandatory pre-event safety briefing for all pilots and operators prior to the first competitive flight each day. Attendance must be recorded on the Pilot Briefing Sign-In Sheet and retained by the ESO. The briefing must cover, at minimum:

• Designated flight corridor boundaries and competition zone limits;

• Authorized altitude range (minimum and maximum AGL);

• Competition zone entry, abort, and landing procedures;

• Emergency frequency and communications protocol;

• Prohibited maneuvers for this event;

• Weather limits and cancellation criteria;

• Incident reporting procedure;

• Consequences of safety violations.

REQUIREMENT. Pilots or operators who arrive after the briefing has concluded must receive an individual briefing from the ESO or a designated Safety Marshal before competing. No exceptions.

4.3 Pilot Fitness and Fitness for Duty

• No pilot or operator may participate in flight operations while impaired by fatigue, alcohol, prescription medication with flight-impairment warnings, or any controlled substance;

• The ESO has authority to require a pilot or operator to withdraw from competition if observable signs of impairment are present;

• Pilots of full-scale aircraft must certify in writing at each event that they hold a current and valid medical certificate and are fit for duty;

• IACSF may require random fitness screening at Championship-level events.

4.4 Required Pilot Protective Equipment

4.4.1 Full-Scale Piloted Aircraft

• Fire-resistant flight suit or equivalent garment (NOMEX or FR-rated) covering torso, arms, and legs;

• Helmet meeting FAA, ASTM F1492 (aerobatic), or DOT-rated motorsport standard;

• Gloves — fire-resistant recommended; minimum flight gloves;

• Shoulder harness and lap belt or equivalent restraint system properly adjusted;

• Hearing protection unless aircraft cockpit provides equivalent attenuation.

4.4.2 UAS / Drone Operators

• No mandatory PPE for remote pilots in a protected operator station;

• High-visibility vest required for operators working near the flight line;

• Hearing protection recommended during multi-aircraft operations with high-noise aircraft.

4.5 Pilot Conduct During Competition

• Pilots must fly within the authorized flight corridor at all times;

• Any aircraft experiencing a mechanical anomaly, control issue, or flight emergency must abort the run immediately using the declared abort procedure;

• Maneuvers that force another aircraft outside the designated flight corridor are prohibited;

• Intentional contact between competing aircraft is prohibited in all disciplines except those where the Technical Code expressly permits combat engagement systems;

• Pilots must comply immediately with all stop signals, red flags, or radio instructions from operations control.

CHAPTER 5 — EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

5.1 Emergency Classification

Level	Classification	Description and Initial Response
1	Aircraft Incident	Unplanned event involving an aircraft that does not result in injury or significant damage. Flight operations may continue. ESO investigation required. Example: gear-up landing on grass, minor prop strike.
2	Significant Incident	Event resulting in aircraft damage, minor injury to personnel, or a near-miss with another aircraft or ground obstacle. Flight operations halted pending ESO review. Medical assessment of any injured persons. Example: runway excursion with minor aircraft damage.
3	Serious Incident	Event resulting in substantial aircraft damage or moderate personal injury requiring medical treatment. Flight operations suspended for the session or day. Emergency services called if not already on-site. Mandatory IACSF incident report within 24 hours.
4	Accident / Mass Casualty	Aircraft accident with serious injury, fatality, or multiple casualties. Immediate activation of emergency response plan. Flight operations suspended for remainder of event. NTSB notification (or national equivalent) as required. IACSF Commissioner and Board notified immediately.

5.2 Aircraft Accident Response Protocol

5.2.1 Immediate Actions (First 5 Minutes)

• Operations control broadcasts stop signal on all frequencies; all aircraft land immediately;

• ESO activates emergency response: notify medical personnel, fire crew, and Event Director;

• ESO designates initial scene commander if aircraft or fire is involved;

• Spectator area marshals activate crowd control: keep spectators in place or initiate evacuation per venue plan;

• Call 911 / emergency services if not already dispatched;

• Secure the accident site — no unauthorized personnel within 300 feet (full-scale) or 100 feet (UAS).

5.2.2 Subsequent Actions

• Medical personnel assess and treat any injured persons;

• ESO preserves the accident site for investigation; no wreckage to be moved without ESO authorization except to prevent further injury;

• Event Director contacts IACSF Commissioner within one (1) hour;

• ESO begins documenting: witness accounts, weather conditions, aircraft status, sequence of events;

• Event Director determines whether competition may safely resume;

• If fatality or serious injury: contact NTSB (full-scale) or FAA (UAS) as required; do not move wreckage pending authority clearance.

WARNING. No statement regarding the cause of an accident may be made to media by any event official without written authorization from the IACSF Commissioner. Event officials should refer all media inquiries to the Event Director.

5.3 Fire Response

5.3.1 Aircraft Fire — Ground

• Alert all personnel immediately via PA and radio;

• Ground crew may use available extinguishers on small fires while emergency services respond;

• Pilot egress takes priority — ground crew must assist pilot egress before fighting fire;

• If fire cannot be controlled within 60 seconds, all personnel must withdraw to a safe distance and await ARFF/fire service.

5.3.2 Aircraft Fire — In-Flight

• Operations control broadcasts emergency on all frequencies;

• All other aircraft clear the runway and competition zone immediately;

• ESO activates ground fire crew and prepares designated crash area;

• After landing or forced landing, ground fire response procedures apply.

5.4 Weather Emergency

The ESO has sole authority to suspend flight operations for weather. The following conditions require mandatory suspension:

Surface Wind (Full-Scale)	Sustained winds exceeding 25 knots or gusts exceeding 35 knots, unless higher limits are established in the Event Safety Plan for specific aircraft.
Surface Wind (UAS)	Sustained winds exceeding 20 knots or gusts exceeding 28 knots.
Thunderstorm / Lightning	Any observed lightning within 10 nautical miles of the venue. Operations may not resume until 30 minutes after the last observed lightning strike within 10 NM.
Visibility	Flight visibility less than 3 statute miles at the competition altitude for full-scale; less than 1 SM for UAS.
Precipitation	Heavy rain or precipitation reducing visibility below minimums or creating hazardous surface conditions.

Weather limits may be more restrictive in the Event Safety Plan. The ESO may impose additional restrictions at any time based on actual conditions. Pilots and operators must comply immediately with weather suspension orders.

5.5 Spectator Evacuation

The Event Director, in consultation with the ESO and local emergency services, may order evacuation of spectator areas. When evacuation is ordered:

• Announcement via PA system in clear, calm language identifying the exit routes;

• Marshals posted at all exits guide spectators to the designated assembly area;

• Emergency access corridors must be cleared for emergency vehicle access;

• Event Director accounts for all accredited personnel;

• No re-entry until ESO and Event Director jointly confirm it is safe.

CHAPTER 6 — INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING

6.1 Mandatory Reporting Obligations

Level 1 Incident	ESO documents in Daily Log within 24 hours. No separate IACSF report required unless ESO determines safety significance.
Level 2 Incident	ESO submits IACSF Incident Report Form to Commissioner within 24 hours. Full investigation report within 14 days.
Level 3 Serious Incident	ESO and Event Director jointly notify Commissioner within 1 hour. IACSF Incident Report Form within 24 hours. Full investigation report within 14 days.
Level 4 Accident	Commissioner notified within 1 hour. IACSF Incident Report Form within 24 hours. Notification of NTSB/FAA as legally required. Full investigation report within 30 days.

6.2 Investigation Procedures

6.2.1 On-Site Investigation

The ESO is responsible for the initial on-site investigation of all Level 2 and above incidents. The ESO must:

• Secure and document the accident scene with photographs before any wreckage is moved;

• Collect written statements from all witnesses within two (2) hours of the incident;

• Preserve any available data: timing data, telemetry, video footage, radio recordings;

• Document aircraft status, weather conditions, and all relevant circumstances;

• Coordinate with NTSB, FAA, or other regulatory authorities as required.

6.2.2 IACSF Follow-Up Investigation

The Safety and Compliance Committee may initiate a follow-up investigation for any Level 3 or Level 4 incident. The Committee may appoint an investigation panel, request additional documentation, interview personnel, and issue findings and recommendations to the Board. Investigation reports are retained in the IACSF safety record and may be used to update standards.

6.3 Corrective Actions

Following any investigation, the Safety and Compliance Committee may recommend corrective actions including:

• Revision of event safety requirements or this Manual;

• Additional training requirements for specific certification categories;

• Temporary or permanent prohibition on specific maneuvers, equipment, or aircraft configurations;

• Referral of the Organizing Entity or individual to the Judicial and Disciplinary Committee;

• Safety Notice to all Organizing Entities regarding identified hazards.

REQUIREMENT. Safety Notices issued by the Commissioner are mandatory and take immediate effect for all future sanctioned events. Safety Notices supplement this Manual and are incorporated by reference.

CHAPTER 7 — ESO DUTIES AND DOCUMENTATION

7.1 ESO Pre-Event Checklist

Before approving the commencement of flight operations, the ESO must verify and document completion of each of the following:

#	Pre-Event Safety Requirement	Verified (Y/N/NA)
1	Event Safety Plan submitted and on file with IACSF Commissioner
2	Venue inspection completed; all safety zones marked and clear
3	Emergency access corridors unobstructed
4	Medical personnel on-site and equipped
5	Fire suppression equipment in Hot Pit — charged and accessible
6	Spectator barriers at correct standoff distances
7	Aircraft technical inspections complete; Inspection Cards issued
8	Pilot / operator safety briefing conducted and attendance recorded
9	Radio communications check on all event frequencies
10	Weather conditions within approved operating parameters
11	ESO authority statement signed by Event Director
12	Insurance certificate on file with IACSF Commissioner confirmed
13	FAA / airspace authorization confirmed current and on-site
14	Emergency contacts list distributed to all key personnel

7.2 ESO Daily Log

The ESO must maintain a written Daily Log throughout each competition day. The log must record:

• Time flight operations commenced and concluded;

• Any holds, delays, or suspensions and their duration and reason;

• Any aircraft re-inspections ordered and outcomes;

• Any safety warnings or violations issued, and to whom;

• Weather observations at key intervals;

• Any incidents, however minor, and initial response taken;

• Personnel changes (e.g., substitute medical personnel).

The Daily Log is a legal document and must be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years. Copies must be provided to the IACSF Commissioner within thirty (30) days of the event conclusion.

7.3 ESO Authority and Conflict Resolution

The ESO's decisions on safety matters are final during active flight operations. No competitive consideration, schedule pressure, or instruction from any other person — including the Event Director, team officials, or IACSF officials other than the Commissioner — overrides the ESO's safety determinations.

If a dispute arises regarding an ESO decision:

• Flight operations remain halted until the ESO is satisfied the safety issue is resolved;

• The Event Director may contact the IACSF Commissioner to seek guidance;

• The Commissioner may provide guidance but may not override an on-site ESO determination regarding imminent safety risk;

• Post-event review of ESO decisions may be requested from the Safety and Compliance Committee.

WARNING. Interference with, threats to, or obstruction of an ESO in the performance of safety duties is grounds for immediate ejection from the event and referral to the Judicial and Disciplinary Committee.

CHAPTER 8 — SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

8.1 Night Operations

Night or low-light flight operations require prior written approval from the IACSF Commissioner in addition to required FAA authorization. Additional requirements include:

• All aircraft must be equipped with aircraft position lights or equivalent high-visibility lighting visible from all angles;

• Competition zone boundaries must be illuminated or marked with reflective material visible from cockpit altitudes;

• Medical station must be equipped with emergency lighting;

• All spectator and emergency access areas must be adequately lit;

• Pilot visual meteorological conditions (VMC) minimums apply; no night operations in IMC.

8.2 Multi-Discipline Events

Where full-scale and UAS competition occur at the same venue, the Event Safety Plan must include a Separation Plan addressing:

• Temporal separation: full-scale and UAS operations may not occur simultaneously unless physical airspace separation and a dedicated airspace management plan are approved by the ESO and the FAA;

• Frequency separation: dedicated RF channels must be assigned and monitored for each discipline;

• Separate Hot Pit areas for full-scale and UAS aircraft.

8.3 Media and Photography Access

Media access to restricted zones requires ESO authorization and must be documented. Authorized media in proximity to the flight zone must:

• Wear high-visibility vests and be accompanied by an accredited marshal;

• Not operate drones or aircraft within the event airspace without specific IACSF and FAA authorization;

• Immediately comply with any instruction from the ESO or marshals.

8.4 Minors at Events

Persons under the age of 18 may not serve as competing pilots in full-scale piloted events. In UAS disciplines, pilots under 18 must hold all required FAA certifications and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who accepts responsibility for the minor's compliance with event safety rules. The presence of minors in the Hot Pit or active flight line area is prohibited.

END OF DOCUMENT — IACSF-MAN-001

Safety questions: safety@iacsf.org | Incident reports: commissioner@iacsf.org